Girls get engineering taster at LSBU

LSBU hosted the second annual #Girls4STEM event in conjunction with South Bank Engineering UTC, introducing young women to the world of engineering

Fifty young women considering their future careers have been introduced to the engineering world at London South Bank University (LSBU) for the second annual #Girls4STEM event.

In conjunction with South Bank Engineering UTC, the event brought together girls aged 14 to 17 from the UTC, St Mary’s High in Croydon and Trinity Academy in Brixton to encourage them to give thought to a career in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries.

Students met a panel of female engineers and scientists and asked questions about working in the industry before solving an engineering problem in the ‘Hackathon’.

LSBU School of Engineering Associate Professor Dr Safia Barikzai said the event was a chance to pique the interest of young girls and boost the number of women studying and working in the STEM industries, where there are skills shortages.

“We held our first #Girls4STEM event last year and following its success, we decided to continue it this year,” Assoc Prof. Barikzai said.

“The participants get the opportunity to meet their peers from other schools, work together to solve problems like engineers, and we hope being in the university environment for the day inspires them.

“There are many different pathways to engineering and other STEM careers, so it’s important for us to work together with South Bank Engineering UTC to expose the students to industry role models so they understand that anything they wish to achieve in STEM can be done.”

Dan Cundy, Principal of South Bank Engineering UTC, commented on the disparity in the engineering sector, with the industry standard of just 9 per cent female representation.

“At South Bank Engineering UTC, we are thrilled to number 35 per cent of girls in engineering courses. The #Girls4STEM event further serves to promote STEM subjects to females for pathways into degree courses and apprenticeships.”

STEM employers, including King’s College Hospital, Skanska UK and St Thomas’ Hospital were represented at the event.